Illinois dismissed redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Lere Oladipo from the football program for a violation of team rules.
He had been suspended indefinitely following the Illini’s game on Sept. 7, a win against Connecticut. At the time, coach Lovie Smith declined to state the reason for the suspension, but on Oct. 31, the university released a statement acknowledging officials were aware of comments on social media that accused Oladipo of domestic abuse.
“We are aware of accusations involving football student-athlete Lere Oladipo,” the statement read. “Lere has been and remains suspended from all team activities, pending final resolution of his case within the university’s student discipline process. The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics takes allegations such as these very seriously.”
Oladipo was suspended in the 2018 season after he was arrested by university police on three counts of misdemeanor domestic battery. Those charges were dropped after the alleged victim and a witness changed their testimony, according to reports.
He was reinstated for the 2019 season and played in the Illini’s first two games, making one sack. In four games last season, he made seven tackles.
A university spokeswoman told the Chicago Tribune that Oladipo remains enrolled at Illinois. He was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2017.
The Illini (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) are in the midst of their best season since 2011, when they were 7-6. Illinois, which has posted a winning record just four times since 2000, plays at No. 19 Iowa on Saturday.
